Madam Speaker, 50 years have passed since the liberation of many of the camps that symbolized Hitler's final solution.
Canadians began marking the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Europe on June 4, 1994 when we remembered the sacrifices of thousands of our countrymen on the beaches of Normandy. Today we commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.
While we mark the end of a tragic time in human history, we must recognize we have all come a long way.
The Nazi holocaust victimized all of humanity. It showed how blind nationalism, racism and bigotry can be.
The Nazi Holocaust victimized all of humanity. It showed how blind nationalism, racism and bigotry, a violation of the very basic democratic principles on which our society is based, can lead to incomprehensible suffering and violence.
The names of the death camps liberated half a century ago ring out as sacred prayers: Dachau, Buchenwald, Treblinka, Bergen Belsen, Auschwitz-Birkenau. These places have become holy ground. We must remember them because they symbolize what humanity is capable of and remind us of our obligation not only to millions of men, women and children who fell victim to tyranny but to future generations around the world.
Canada remembers the suffering of Europe. We remember the deaths of six million Jews and the victimization of millions of other innocent people persecuted because of their religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or political views.
Canada remembers the selfless sacrifice of thousands of our soldiers who offered their lives for freedom, democracy and for a better future for us today. We honour all of their memories by ensuring we remember why they died. We honour their sacrifice by working for the equality of humanity and being true to our values of respect and understanding.
Canada remembers.